On-time modulation for phase locking in a buck converter using coupled inductors

ABSTRACT

A regulator circuit that employs coupled inductors with on-time modulation is disclosed. The regulator circuit includes a driver circuit coupled via first and second inductors to a power supply node of a load circuit, and may charge the power supply node via the first inductor for a first charging period, and charge the power supply node via the second inductor for a second charging period. A control circuit may determine durations of the first and second charging periods using respective pluralities of currents.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

Embodiments described herein relate to integrated circuits, and moreparticularly, to techniques for generating regulated power supplyvoltages.

Description of the Related Art

A variety of electronic devices are now in daily use with consumers.Particularly, mobile devices have become ubiquitous. Mobile devices mayinclude cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), smart phonesthat combine phone functionality and other computing functionality suchas various PDA functionality and/or general application support,tablets, laptops, net tops, smart watches, wearable electronics, etc.

Such mobile devices may include multiple integrated circuits, eachperforming different tasks. In some cases, circuits that performdifferent tasks may be integrated into a single integrated forming asystem on a chip (SoC). The different functional units within a SoC mayoperate at different power supply voltage levels. In some designs, powersupply or regulator circuits may be included in, or external to, the SoCto generate different voltage levels for the myriad functional unitsincluded in the SoC.

Regulator circuits may include one or more reactive circuit components.For example, individual regulator sub-assemblies may employ acombination of inductors or capacitors. The reactive circuit componentsmay be fabricated on an integrated circuit with the regulator circuits,or they may be included as discrete components in a semiconductorpackage or circuit board.

SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Various embodiments of a system including a regulator circuit andcoupled inductors are disclosed. Broadly speaking, a system iscontemplated, in which a first and a second inductor are coupled to apower supply node of a load circuit, and the first and second inductorare inductively coupled to each other. A driver circuit coupled to thefirst and second inductors may be configured to charge the power supplynode for a first charging period via the first inductor and charge thepower supply node for a second charging period via the second inductor.A control circuit may be configured to determine a duration of the firstcharging period using a first plurality of currents and determine asecond duration of the second charging period using a second pluralityof currents.

In one embodiment, the driver circuit may be further configured todischarge the power supply node via the first inductor in response to adetermination that the first charging period has ended. The drivercircuit may be further configured to discharge the power supply node viathe second inductor in response to a determination that the secondcharging period has ended.

In a further embodiment, to determine the first duration of the firstcharging period, the control circuit may be further configured to chargea first capacitor using a first current of the first plurality ofcurrents, and charge the first capacitor using a second current of thefirst plurality of currents, where the second current is based on acoupling coefficient indicative of an amount of coupling between thefirst and second inductors. The control circuit may be furtherconfigured to compare a first voltage level across the first capacitorto a first reference ramp voltage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description makes reference to the accompanyingdrawings, which are now briefly described.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a computing system.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a regulator unit using coupledinductors.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a driver circuit.

FIG. 4 illustrates sample waveforms reference ramp signals used in aregulator unit that employs coupled inductors.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a control circuit of a regulatorunit.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a phase lock circuit for use in aregulator unit that employs coupled inductors.

FIG. 7 illustrates sample waveforms from the operation of a regulatorunit.

FIG. 8 depicts a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method foroperating a phase unit of a regulator unit that employs coupledinductors.

FIG. 9 depicts a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method foroperating a regulator unit.

While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way ofexample in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. Itshould be understood, however, that the drawings and detaileddescription thereto are not intended to limit the disclosure to theparticular form illustrated, but on the contrary, the intention is tocover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within thespirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appendedclaims. The headings used herein are for organizational purposes onlyand are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description. Asused throughout this application, the word “may” is used in a permissivesense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatorysense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include,” “including,”and “includes” mean including, but not limited to.

Various units, circuits, or other components may be described as“configured to” perform a task or tasks. In such contexts, “configuredto” is a broad recitation of structure generally meaning “havingcircuitry that” performs the task or tasks during operation. As such,the unit/circuit/component can be configured to perform the task evenwhen the unit/circuit/component is not currently on. In general, thecircuitry that forms the structure corresponding to “configured to” mayinclude hardware circuits. Similarly, various units/circuits/componentsmay be described as performing a task or tasks, for convenience in thedescription. Such descriptions should be interpreted as including thephrase “configured to.” Reciting a unit/circuit/component that isconfigured to perform one or more tasks is expressly intended not toinvoke 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph (f) interpretation for thatunit/circuit/component. More generally, the recitation of any element isexpressly intended not to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph (f)interpretation for that element unless the language “means for” or “stepfor” is specifically recited.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Computing systems may include multiple functional units or circuitblocks. These circuit blocks may be mounted together in a commonintegrated circuit package, or circuit board. Some computing systems mayinclude multiple functional units on a single integrated circuit,commonly referred to as a “System-on-a-chip” or “SoC.” Each functionalunit or circuit block within a computing system, may operate at adifferent voltage levels, which may be different than a voltage level ofa master power supply of the power supply. In order to generate thedesired voltage levels, one or more regulator units may be employed.

In some computing systems, DC-DC switching regulators are used togenerate the desired voltage levels. Switching regulators rapidly switcha series of transistors on and off in order to transfer charge to a loadthrough an inductor, such as one of the aforementioned functional unitsor circuit blocks. By adjusting the duration of the time individualtransistors are switched on, the voltage level at the load may be keptwithin a predetermined range of a desired value. In some cases, multipleinductors may be employed, with charged being transferred to the loadthrough each inductor at different times. To improve performance andreduced voltage droop at the load, the inductors may be arranged suchthat they are inductively coupled to each other, i.e., a change incurrent flowing through one inductor may induce a change in a magneticfield, which, in turn, induces a current in another inductor.

Some switching regulators employ multiple smaller regulator unitsoperating sequentially to provide the desired voltage level. Suchmulti-phase regulators often use a current loop used to control theoperation of the individual regulator units. Such current controlmethods are, however, subject to clock latency issues as well assubharmonics in the control loop.

Additionally, response time to changes in load current demand may belimited. In some designs, large capacitors may be employed on the outputof the regulator unit to limit voltage droop, which may increase areaconsumption and cost. The embodiments illustrated in the drawings anddescribed below may provide techniques for achieving faster responsetime in a regulator circuit, while limiting the impact of clock latencyand subharmonics, as well as providing reduced area consumption andcost.

A block diagram of a computing system including multiple circuit blocksor functional units is illustrated in FIG. 1. In the illustratedembodiment, computing system 100 includes Regulator Unit 101, andCircuit Blocks 102 a and 102 b. Regulator Unit 101 is coupled to powersupply 105, and regulated power supply 103. Circuit Blocks 102 a and 102b are also coupled to regulated power supply 103. Additionally, CircuitBlock 102 a is coupled to Circuit Block 102 b via communication bus 104.

As described below in more detail, Regulator Unit 101 may, in variousembodiments, be configured to generate regulated power supply 103 usingpower supply 105. A voltage level of regulated power supply 103 may beless than, equal to, or greater than a voltage level of power supply 105dependent upon the needs of Circuit Blocks 102 a and 102 b. Althoughonly a single regulated power supply is depicted in the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 1, in other embodiments, multiple regulated powersupplies may be employed. In such cases, different circuit blocks may becoupled different regulated power supplies. Alternatively, a singlecircuit block may be coupled to multiple regulated power supplies.

In the illustrated embodiment, either of Circuit Blocks 102 a or 102 bmay include a processor, processor complex, or a memory. In someembodiments, Circuit Blocks 102 a and 102 b may include Input/Output(I/O) circuits or analog/mixed-signal circuits. In various embodiments,computing 100 may be configured for use in a desktop computer, server,or in a mobile computing application such as, e.g., a tablet or laptopcomputer. It is noted that although FIG. 1 illustrates only two circuitblocks, in other embodiments, any suitable number of circuit blocks maybe employed. Additional communication busses may also be employed toconnect the various circuit blocks.

As used and described herein, a processor or processor complex havingone or more processors or processor cores may, in various embodiments,be representative of a general-purpose processor that performscomputational operations. For example, a processor may be a centralprocessing unit (CPU) such as a microprocessor, a microcontroller, anapplication-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a field-programmablegate array (FPGA).

In the present disclosure, a memory describes any suitable type ofmemory such as a Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), a Static RandomAccess Memory (SRAM), a Read-only Memory (ROM), Electrically ErasableProgrammable Read-only Memory (EEPROM), or a non-volatile memory, forexample.

Analog/mixed-signal circuits may include a variety of circuitsincluding, for example, a crystal oscillator, a phase-locked loop (PLL),an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and a digital-to-analog converter(DAC) (all not shown). In other embodiments, analog/mixed-signalcircuits included in one of Circuit Blocks 102 a or 102 b may include,radio frequency (RF) circuits that may be configured for operation withwireless networks.

As used herein, I/O circuits may be configured to coordinate datatransfer between computing system 100 and one or more peripheraldevices. Such peripheral devices may include, without limitation,storage devices (e.g., magnetic or optical media-based storage devicesincluding hard drives, tape drives, CD drives, DVD drives, etc.), audioprocessing subsystems, or any other suitable type of peripheral devices.In some embodiments, I/O circuits may be configured to implement aversion of Universal Serial Bus (USB) protocol, IEEE 1394 (Firewire®)protocol, or an Ethernet (IEEE 802.3) networking standard such asGigabit Ethernet or 10-Gigabit Ethernet.

In some embodiments, each of the aforementioned circuit blocks mayinclude multiple circuits, each of which may include multiple devices,such as, e.g., metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors(MOSFETs) connected via multiple wires fabricated on multiple conductivelayers. The conductive layers may be interspersed with insulatinglayers, such as, silicon dioxide, for example. Each circuit may alsocontain wiring, fabricated on the conductive layers, designated for apower supply net or a ground supply net.

Each of Regulator Unit 101, and Circuit Blocks 102 a and 102 b may, invarious embodiments, be fabricated on a silicon wafer (or simply“wafer”) along with numerous identical copies of Regulator Unit 101 andCircuit Blocks 102 a and 102 b, each of which may be referred to as a“chip” or “die.” During manufacture, various manufacturing steps may beperformed on each chip in parallel. Once the manufacturing process hasbeen completed, the individual chips may be removed from the wafer bycutting or slicing through unused areas between each chip.

In other embodiments, Regulator Unit 101 may be fabricated on a separatechip than Circuit Blocks 102 a and 102 b. In such cases, Regulator Unit101 and Circuit Blocks 102 a and 102 b may be coupled together inside asemiconductor package. Alternatively, Regulator Unit 101 and CircuitBlocks 102 a and 102 b may be mounted on a common circuit board or othersuitable substrate. In such cases, wiring for regulated power supply 103and communication bus 104 may include multiple metal layers fabricatedinto the package or circuit board.

An embodiment of a regulator unit is depicted in FIG. 2. In variousembodiments, regulator unit 200 may correspond to regulator unit 101 asillustrated in FIG. 1. In the illustrated embodiment, regulator unit 200includes phase units 209 a and 209 b. Each of phase units 209 a-b iscoupled to regulated supply 204. In various embodiments, regulatedsupply 204 may correspond to regulated power supply 103 as depicted inFIG. 1.

Phase unit 209 a includes control circuit 201 a, driver 202 a, feedbackvoltage generator 208 a, and inductor 203 a. In a similar fashion, phaseunit 209 b includes control circuit 201 b, driver 202 b, feedbackvoltage generator 208 b, and inductor 203 b. Inductors 203 a and 203 bmay be inductively coupled to each other (commonly referred to as“coupled inductor”). Coupling coefficient 209 may specify the magnitudeof the coupling between inductor 203 a and 203 b. As used and describedherein, a coupling coefficient is a value indicative of an amount ofinductive coupling between two inductors. It is noted that although FIG.2 only depicts two coupled inductors, in other embodiments, any suitablenumber of coupled inductors with various amounts of coupling betweenthem may be employed.

Each of feedback voltage generators 208 a-b may be configured togenerate feedback voltages 206 a-b, respectively, based on outputvoltages of drivers 202 a-b, respectively. In various embodiments,feedback voltage generators 208 a-b may include any suitable combinationof resistors and capacitors to generator the corresponding feedbackvoltage that tracks variations in at the output of the respective drivercircuits.

As described below in more detail, control circuits 201 a-b may beconfigured to determine respective charging periods for each of phaseunits 209 a-b, based on feedback voltages 206 a-b, reference voltage205, control signals 210 a-b, and reference ramps 207 a-b. In variousembodiments, each of control circuits 201 a-b may compare a respectiveone feedback voltages 206 a-b to voltage reference 205, and based on thecomparison initiate a respective charging period. The operation of eachof phase unit 209 a-b may, in various embodiments, may be controlled bythe frequency of a respective one of reference ramp 207 a-b.

Each of drivers 202 a-b may include multiple devices configured to allowcurrent to be sourced or sunk from regulated supply 204 based on controlsignals received from control circuits 201 a-b. Inductors 203 a-b may,in some embodiments, be located on a semiconductor chip or die separatefrom control circuits 201 a-b and drivers 202 a-b. Alternatively,inductors 203 a-b may be co-located with control circuits 201 a-b anddrivers 202 a-b.

It is noted that the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 is merely anexample. In other embodiments, different numbers of phase units may beemployed.

An embodiment of driver circuit, such as, driver 202 a as illustrated inFIG. 2, is depicted in FIG. 3. In various embodiments, the embodimentdepicted in FIG. 3 may correspond to any of drivers 202 a-b as depictedin FIG. 2. In the illustrated embodiment, driver 300 includes device 301and device 302.

Device 301 is coupled between power supply 303 and output 307, and iscontrolled by driver control 305. In various embodiments, output 307 maybe coupled to a regulated power supply node, such as, e.g., regulatedsupply 204, via an inductor. Power supply 303 may, in some embodiments,correspond to a power supply whose voltage level is either too high totoo low for the operation of a particular circuit block. Device 302 iscoupled to output 307 and ground supply 304, and is controlled by drivercontrol 306.

Each of devices 301 and 302 may, in various embodiments, correspond to ametal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) or any othersuitable transconductance device. In particular, device 301 maycorrespond to a p-channel MOSFET, and device 302 may correspond to ann-channel MOSFET. Although a single device is illustrated for each ofdevices 301 and 302, in other embodiments, multiple devices may be usedin parallel to form either of devices 301 and 302.

During operation, in response to a low logic level on driver control305, device 301 may be enabled allowing current to flow from powersupply 303 to output 307. In various embodiments, a value of the currentflowing through device 301 while it is enabled may be proportional to aphysical size of device 301. Additionally, a high logic level on drivercontrol 306 may enable device 302, resulting in a current flow fromoutput 307 into group supply 304. In various embodiments, to prevent aflow of current from power supply 303 to ground supply 304, drivercontrol 305 and 306 are generated to prevent both devices 301 and 302from being enabled at the same time.

As used and described herein, a low logic level (or a “logic 0 value”)corresponds to a voltage level sufficiently low to enable a p-channelMOSFET, and a high logic level (or a “logic 1 value”) corresponds to avoltage level sufficiently high to enable an n-channel MOSFET. In otherembodiments, any suitable voltage levels may be employed for low andhigh logic levels based on a type of devices being used in driver 300.

It is noted that the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 is merely anexample. In other embodiments, different numbers of devices, anddifferent arrangements of devices may be employed.

To help determine the duration of the charging period of a particularphase of a regulation unit, a reference voltage ramp (or simply“reference ramp”) with a desired frequency may be employed. Examples ofsuch voltage ramps are illustrated in the diagram of FIG. 4. In variousembodiments, waveforms 401 through 403 may correspond to reference ramps207 a and 207 b as illustrated in FIG. 2.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of reference ramps 401 and 402 aresubstantially the same, although separated by in time. In someembodiments, each of reference ramps 401 and 402 are separated by a180-degree phase shift. In other embodiments, where additional inductorsare employed, additional reference ramp signals, with appropriate phaseshifts, may be used along with corresponding phase units.

Each of reference ramps 401 and 402 includes two regions. In one region,the voltage level of the reference ramp signal is increasing, while inthe other region, the voltage level of the reference ramp is decreasing.The slopes of these two regions may be determined based on a desiredlevel of performance for the regulation unit. In some cases, a capacitorbeing charged and discharge with respective bias currents, or any othersuitable circuit, may be used to generate the increasing and decreasingvoltage level regions of the reference ramp signals.

The waveforms illustrated in FIG. 4 are merely examples. In otherembodiments, different time periods may be used for the increasing anddecreasing voltage levels of the reference ramp.

Turning to FIG. 5, an embodiment of a control circuit used in aregulation unit is illustrated. Control circuit 500 may, in variousembodiments, correspond to any of control circuits 201 a-b as depictedin FIG. 2. In the illustrated embodiment, control circuit 500 includescomparator 501, driver control 505, and phase lock circuit 512.

Comparator 501 may be configured to compare output voltage 507 toreference voltage 508. In various embodiments, output voltage 507 maycorrespond to an output voltage of a driver circuit, such as, drivercircuit 202 a, for example. In some cases, output voltage 507 maygenerated using a feedback voltage generator, such as, e.g., feedbackvoltage generator 208 a, which may be configured to generate a feedbackvoltage based on a current flowing through inductor 203 a. Comparator501 may include an operational amplifier (op-amp) or any other suitabletype of differential amplifier.

During operation, comparator 501 may assert compare 503 in response to adetermination that a voltage level of output voltage 507 is less than avoltage level of reference voltage 508. It is noted that the voltagelevel of reference voltage 508 may correspond to a desired voltage levelfor the output of the regulation unit.

Driver control 505 may be configured to generate driver control 506 anddriver control 507, as well as switch control 510, based on compare 503.In some cases, the assertion of compare 503 may cause driver control 505to adjust voltage levels of driver control 506 and 507 such thatappropriate devices are activated in a driver circuit, such as, e.g.,driver 202 a, to allow current to be source, via an inductor, to theoutput of the regulator unit. In various embodiments, signals 511 and512 may operate in a similar fashion to driver control 506 and 507,respectively.

In various embodiments, driver control 505 may include a flip-flopcircuit, or any other suitable circuit, configured to enter a particularstate in response to an assertion of compare 503, and enter another,different state, in response to an assertion of compare 504.

As described below in more detail, phase lock circuit 512 may beconfigured to determine a duration of a charging period, once drivercontrol 505 has transitioned driver control 506 and 507 to values thatallow current to flow to the output of the regulator unit. In variousembodiments, the charging period may be phase locked to a frequency ofreference ramp 513. When the end of the charging period has beendetermined, phase lock circuit 512 may assert compare 504. It is notedthat reference ramp 513 may correspond to any of reference ramps 207a-b, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

As mentioned above, in response to the assertion of compare 504, drivercontrol 505 may change the values of driver control 506 and 507, as wellas switch control 510. The updated values of driver control 506 and 507may enable different devices in a driver circuit such that no furthercurrent is applied to the output of the regulator unit, and instead,current is sunk from the output of the regulator unit.

It is noted that the embodiment of a control circuit illustrated in FIG.5 is merely an example. In other embodiments, different circuit blocksand different arrangements of circuit blocks are possible andcontemplated.

As mentioned above, the charging and discharging of the output of aregulator unit may be phase locked to a particular frequency. This maybe accomplished by detecting an end point for the charging period (alsoreferred to as the “on time”) of a particular phase of the regulatorunit. An embodiment of a phase lock circuit is illustrated in FIG. 6.

Phase lock circuit 600 may, in various embodiments, correspond to phaselock circuit 512 as illustrated in FIG. 5. In the illustratedembodiment, phase lock circuit 600 includes comparator 601, currentsources 605, 611, and 612, switches 607, 608, and 610, and sensecapacitor 604.

Comparator 601 may be configured to compare a voltage level across sensecapacitor 604 to reference ramp 606 to generate compare voltage 609. Invarious embodiments, reference ramp 606 may correspond to any ofreference ramps 207 a-b as illustrated in FIG. 2, and compare voltage609 may correspond to compare 504 as illustrated in FIG. 5. Comparator601 may, in some embodiments, include an op-amp, or any other suitabledifferential amplifier.

Current source 611 is coupled to power supply 602, and may be configuredto generate a current that mimics the current flowing through aninductor included in the regulation unit during a charging period. Invarious embodiments, a value of the current generated by current sourcemay be represented by Equation 1, where I_(bias1) is the current sourceby current source 605, V_(in) is the voltage level of the power supplycoupled to the regulator, V_(out) is the value of a feedback voltage,such as, e.g., feedback voltage 206 a, and R is a value of a resistorused to appropriate scale V_(out).

$\begin{matrix}{I_{{bias}\; 1} = \frac{V_{i\; n} - V_{out}}{R}} & (1)\end{matrix}$

In a similar fashion, current source 605 may be configured to generateanother bias current used to charge sense capacitor 604. In variousembodiments, the charging of sense capacitor 604 using the currentgenerated by current source 605 may be at a different time than thecharging using the current generated by current source 611. In variousembodiments, the current generated by current source 611 may berepresented by Equation 2, wherein I_(bias2) is the current generated bycurrent source 611, and k is the coupling coefficient between thecoupled inductors employed by the regulator, and V_(in) and V_(out) areas described above.

$\begin{matrix}{I_{{bias}\; 2} = \frac{\left( {V_{i\; n} - V_{out}} \right)k}{R}} & (2)\end{matrix}$

Current source 612 is coupled to ground supply 603, and may beconfigured to generate a current used to discharge sense capacitor 604.In various embodiments, the discharging of sense capacitor 604 using thecurrent generated by current source 612 may occur on an opposite phaseof a control signal used to control switch 607 to allow current source605 to source current to sense capacitor 604. The current generated bycurrent source 612 may, in some embodiments, be described by Equation 3,where Ibias3 is the current generated by current source 612, and k andV_(out) are as described above.

$\begin{matrix}{I_{{bias}\; 3} = \frac{V_{out}k}{R}} & (3)\end{matrix}$

Each of current sources 605, 611, and 612 may include, in variousembodiments, include a supply and/or temperature independent biasingscheme, as well as any suitable number of current mirror circuits.

Switches 607, 608, and 610 may include any suitable combination ofp-channel and n-channel MOSFETs, and be controlled by signals 210 a-b asillustrated in FIG. 2. During operation, switch 610 may be closed, whileswitches 607 and 608 are open, allowing charging of sense capacitor 604by current source 611. At a later time, switch 607 may be closed,allowing current source 605 to also source current to sense capacitor604. As the voltage at the output of the phase unit increase, switch 610may open and switch 608 may close allowing the current source 612 tosink current from sense capacitor 604. In some embodiments, switch 607and 608 may operate on opposite phases of the same switch controlsignals, such as, switch control 510, for example.

It is noted that, in the above description, the operation of theswitches may be for a particular phase unit. For example, switch 610 maybe operated by switch control 510, while switches 607 and 608 may beoperated by switch control 511, which is generated in a different phaseunit. In the other phase unit included in regulator unit 200, the rolesof switch control 510 and 511 may be reversed.

Sense capacitor 604 may be fabricated using any suitable semiconductormanufacturing process, such as, metal-oxide-metal (MOM), for example. Invarious embodiments, any suitable value of sense capacitor 604 may beselected to allow for the voltage regulator to phase lock at thefrequency of reference ramp 606.

During operation, as the voltage across sense capacitor 604 increases,in response to being charged by current source 605, reference ramp 606increases to its maximum voltage level and then begins to decrease involtage level over a period of time. Comparator 601 may be configured tocompare the voltage across sense capacitor 604 to that of reference ramp606. When the voltage level across sense capacitor 604 is greater thanthat of reference ramp 606, comparator 601 may assert compare voltage609, which may correspond to compare 504 as illustrated in FIG. 5.

The assertion of compare voltage 609 may, in various embodiments,correspond to the end of the charging period. When the end of thecharging period is reached, driver control 505 may change the state ofsignals 511 and 510. In response to the change in state of switchcontrol 510, switch 610 may open preventing further current from currentsource 611 from charging sense capacitor 604. At a later time, switch608 may close, allowing charge stored in sense capacitor 604 to currentsource 612 to sink current from sense capacitor 604, thereby decreasingthe voltage across sense capacitor 604. The voltage across sensecapacitor 604 may continue to decrease until it becomes equipotentialwith ground supply 603. Phase lock circuit 600 may remain in a statewith switch 608 closed until a start of another charging period.

It is noted that embodiment of a phase lock circuit illustrated in FIG.6 is merely an example. In other embodiments, different differencecircuit elements, and different arrangements of circuit elements may beemployed.

To further illustrate the operation of a phase unit included in aregulator that employs coupled inductors, such as, e.g., phase unit 209a as depicted in FIG. 2, example waveforms related to the operation ofthe phase unit are illustrated in FIG. 7.

At time t0, a control circuit, such as, e.g., control circuit 201 a,determines that a voltage level of feedback 701 is less than a voltagelevel of reference 702. In response to such a determination, phase 1control 703 transitions to a high logic level and low side control 704transitions to a low logic level, signaling the beginning of a chargingperiod. It is noted that, in various embodiments, high side control 703may correspond to control 506 and low side control 704 may correspond tocontrol 507, as illustrated in FIG. 5.

In response to the transitions on high side control 703 and low sidecontrol 704, a driver circuit, such as, e.g., driver 202 a, may stopsinking current from the regulated supply, and begin sourcing current tothe regulated supply, thereby resulting in an increase in the level offeedback 701.

Moreover, the transitions in high side control 703 and low side control704, begin the charging of a sense capacitor, such as, e.g., sensecapacitor 604, resulting in an increase in voltage level of sensecapacitor voltage 706. In various embodiments, different current sourcesmay be used to charge the sense capacitor. The current sources may, insome embodiments, be based on the coupling coefficient between thecoupled inductors. As described above in regard to FIG. 6, phase 1control 703 and phase 2 control 704 may operate switches thatselectively couple the sense capacitor to a current source or to aground supply. It is noted that the duty cycles of phase 1 control 703and phase 2 control 704 are merely an example. In other embodiments,phase 1 control 703 and phase 2 control 704 may have different dutycycles.

As sense capacitor voltage 706 continues to increase in voltage, andreference ramp 706 continues to decrease in voltage, a comparator, suchas, e.g., comparator 601, compare the voltage levels of the two signals.At time t1, sense capacitor voltage 706 becomes greater than referenceramp 705, signaling the end of the charging period. In response to thecomparator detecting this situation, high side control 703 and low sidecontrol 704 change state, thereby causing the driver to stop sourcingcurrent to the regulated supply, and begin sinking current from theregulated supply. As a result, feedback 701 begins to decrease involtage. It is noted that, in some embodiments, a transition in phase 2control 704 may result in decoupling a current source providing chargeto the sense capacitor, and coupling a current source to the sensecapacitor that sinks current from the sense capacitor.

Also, in response to the change in state of phase 1 control 703 andphase 2 control 704, the current being source to the sense capacitor isstopped, and the sense capacitor is discharge via a current source,resulting in a change in sense capacitor voltage 706. The phase unit maythen remain in this state, with reference ramp 705 continuing todecrease in voltage, until time t2, at which point, then a new chargingperiod beings.

It is noted that the waveforms illustrated in FIG. 7 are merelyexamples. In other embodiments, such waveforms may appear differentlydue to variations in levels of power supplies, temperature changes,variations in circuit component values, and the like.

Turning to FIG. 8, a flow diagram depicting an embodiment of a methodfor operating a phase unit of a multi-phase voltage regulator withcoupled inductors, such as, phase unit 208 a, for example. The methodbegins in block 801.

A feedback voltage for the phase unit may then be compared to areference voltage (block 802). In various embodiments, the feedbackvoltage may be generated dependent upon an output voltage of a drivercircuit, such as, e.g., driver 202 a, and may be compared to thereference voltage using a comparator, or any other suitable comparisoncircuit. The method may then depend on results of the comparison (block803).

If the feedback voltage is greater than the reference voltage, themethod may continue from block 802, as described above. Alternatively,if the feedback voltage is less than the reference voltage, then currentmay be sourced to a power supply node of a load circuit via an inductor,and charging of a sense capacitor may begin starting a charging periodusing a first current (block 804). In some embodiments, a drivercircuit, such as, driver 202 a, may couple a terminal of an inductor toa power supply via p-channel MOSFET or other suitable transconductancedevice. The sense capacitor may, in various embodiments, be chargedusing a first current whose value is based upon the output voltage ofthe driver circuit and the voltage level of the power supply coupled tothe regulator.

The sense capacitor may then be continued to be charged using a secondcurrent starting a second time (block 805). In various embodiments, thesecond current may be based, at least in part, on the couplingcoefficient between the coupled inductors used in the regulator. At athird time, the sense capacitor may be discharged using a third current(block 806). In some embodiments, the value of the third current mayalso depend on the coupling coefficient between the coupled inductors.

A voltage across the sense capacitor may then be compared to a referencevoltage ramp (block 807). In various embodiments, the reference rampvoltage may be initially set to a maximum value, and the discharged to aminimum value over a period of time. The method may then depend onresults of the comparison between the voltage across the sense capacitorand the reference ramp voltage (block 808).

If the voltage across the sense capacitor is less than the referenceramp voltage, then the method may proceed from block 807, as describedabove. Alternatively, if the voltage level across the sense capacitor isgreater than the reference ramp voltage, then current is sunk from thepower supply node of the load circuit, and the discharge of the sensecapacitor is continued as the charging period ends (block 809). Invarious embodiments, a driver circuit, such as, e.g., driver 202 a, maydeactivate a p-channel MOSFET coupling an inductor to the power supply,and activate an n-channel MOSFET coupling the inductor terminal toground, thereby allowing current to flow from the power supply node ofthe load circuit into ground.

The current source charging the sense capacitor may be disconnected fromthe sense capacitor by opening a switch or other suitable device, andthe sense capacitor may be coupled to a ground supply using anotherswitch or another suitable device. The method may then conclude in block810.

Although the operations included in the flow diagram of FIG. 8 aredepicted as being performed in a sequential fashion, in otherembodiments, one or more of the operations may be performed in parallel.

Turning to FIG. 9, a flow diagram depicting an embodiment of a methodfor operating a voltage regulator is illustrated. Referring collectivelyto the embodiment of FIG. 2, and the flow diagram of FIG. 9, the methodbegins in block 901. Regulator unit 200 may then be activated (block902). In various embodiments, the activation of regulator unit 200 maybe in response to activating a particular circuit block, such as, e.g.,circuit block 102 a as shown in FIG. 1, included in an SoC, or otherintegrated circuit.

Multiple reference ramp signals may then be generated (block 903). Eachreference ramp signal may be out of phase with the other reference rampsignals. In some embodiments, a phase angle between each of thereference ramp signals may be dependent upon a number of phase unitsincluded in a regulator unit. For example, in the embodiment illustratedin FIG. 2, there are three phase units and three reference rampssignals, with a 120-degree phase shift between each reference rampsignal.

Each phase unit of the multiple phase units in the regulator unit maythen be operated (block 904). In some embodiments, the operationsdescribed in the flow diagram of FIG. 8 may be included as part of block904. During operation, the operation of a given phase unit may includephase locking the charging period of the given phase unit to arespective ramp signal. As described above, switch control signals fromone phase unit may be used in another phase unit in order to determine aduration of the charging period.

In various embodiments, each reference ramp signal is separated by aphase angle based on a number of phase units included in the regulatorunit, so the charging periods of each phase unit may also be separatedby the phase angle. For regulators employing two coupled inductors, thereference ramp signals may be separate by a 180-degree phase angle. Itis noted that, in some cases, variations in component values of circuitelements included in the phase units may result in different values, andphase relationships, between the charging periods of the phase unitsincluded in the regulator unit. The method may then depend on whetherthe regulation operation is to continue (block 905).

If the regulation operation is to continue, then the method may continuefrom block 904, as described above, to continue operating the multiplephase units of regulation unit 200. Alternatively, if the regulationoperation is no longer needed, the regulated may be deactivated (block906). In various embodiments, each of reference ramps 207 a-c, may beheld in an off-state, and bias currents, such, e.g., bias current 605may be disabled. With the deactivation of regulator unit 200, the methodmay conclude in block 907.

It is noted that the embodiment of the method depicted in the flowdiagram of FIG. 9 is merely an example. In other embodiments, differentoperations and different orders of operations are possible andcontemplated.

Although specific embodiments have been described above, theseembodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the presentdisclosure, even where only a single embodiment is described withrespect to a particular feature. Examples of features provided in thedisclosure are intended to be illustrative rather than restrictiveunless stated otherwise. The above description is intended to cover suchalternatives, modifications, and equivalents as would be apparent to aperson skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

The scope of the present disclosure includes any feature or combinationof features disclosed herein (either explicitly or implicitly), or anygeneralization thereof, whether or not it mitigates any or all of theproblems addressed herein. Accordingly, new claims may be formulatedduring prosecution of this application (or an application claimingpriority thereto) to any such combination of features. In particular,with reference to the appended claims, features from dependent claimsmay be combined with those of the independent claims and features fromrespective independent claims may be combined in any appropriate mannerand not merely in the specific combinations enumerated in the appendedclaims.

1-20 (canceled)
 21. An apparatus, comprising: a plurality of inductors;and a plurality of phase unit circuits, wherein a particular phase unitcircuit includes: a driver circuit configured to charge, for a chargingperiod, a regulated supply signal via a respective inductor of theplurality of inductors; and a control circuit configured to determine aduration of the charging period based on a respective one of a pluralityof reference ramp signals and at least one control signal generated byanother phase unit circuit of the plurality of phase unit circuits. 22.The apparatus of claim 21, wherein a first reference ramp signal of theplurality of reference ramp signals and a second reference ramp signalis separated by a phase angle based on a number of phase unit circuitincluded in the plurality of phase unit circuits.
 23. The apparatus ofclaim 21, wherein the driver circuit is further configured to dischargethe regulated supply signal via the respective inductor in response to adetermination that the charging period has ended.
 24. The apparatus ofclaim 21, wherein to determine the duration of the charging period, thecontrol circuit is further configured to charge, in response to a startof the charging period, a capacitor using a current that is based on adifference between a voltage level of the regulated supply signal and avoltage level of a power supply signal coupled to the plurality of phaseunit circuits.
 25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the controlcircuit is further configured to charge, after a time period has elapsedsince the start of the charging period, the capacitor using a secondcurrent that is based on the difference between the voltage level of theregulated supply signal and the voltage level of the power supply signaland a coupling coefficient indicative of a level of inductive couplingbetween at least two inductors of the plurality of inductors.
 26. Theapparatus of claim 25, wherein the control circuit is further configuredto compare a voltage across the capacitor to a voltage level of aparticular reference ramp signal of the plurality of reference rampsignals.
 27. A method, comprising: generating a plurality of referenceramp signals separated by a phase angle which is based on a number of aplurality of phase units included in a voltage regulator circuit; andregulating a voltage level for a power supply signal coupled to a loadcircuit by sourcing, for a respective charging periods, current by eachphase unit of the plurality of phase units to the load circuit via arespective one of a plurality of inductors, wherein operation of eachphase unit is locked to a respective one of the of the plurality ofreference ramp signals.
 28. The method of claim 27, further comprisingdischarging, by each phase unit, the power supply signal via acorresponding inductor of the plurality of inductors in response to adetermination that a corresponding charging period has ended.
 29. Themethod of claim 27, further comprising determining a duration of aparticular charging period based on a respective one of a plurality ofreference ramp signals and at least one control signal generated byanother phase unit circuit.
 30. The method of claim 29, whereindetermining the duration of the particular charging period includescharging, in response to a start of the particular charging period, acapacitor using a current that is based on a difference between avoltage level of the power supply signal and a voltage level of a powersource coupled to the plurality of phase units.
 31. The method of claim30, further comprising charging, after a time period has elapsed sincethe start of the particular charging period, the capacitor using asecond current that is based on the difference between the voltage levelof the power supply signal and the voltage level of the power source anda coupling coefficient indicative of a level of inductive couplingbetween at least two inductors of the plurality of inductors.
 32. Themethod of claim 31, further comprising, discharging, after a second timeperiod has elapsed since the start of the particular charging period,the capacitor using a third current that is based on a voltage level ofthe power supply signal and a coupling coefficient indicative of a levelof inductive coupling between at least two inductors of the plurality ofinductors.
 33. The method of claim 31, further comprising comparing avoltage across the capacitor to a voltage level of a particularreference ramp signal of the plurality of reference ramp signals.
 34. Anapparatus, comprising: a plurality of inductors coupled to a powerterminal of a load circuit; a voltage regulator circuit configured to:generate a plurality of reference ramp signals, wherein a firstreference ramp signal of the plurality of reference ramp signals is froma second reference ramp signal of the plurality of reference rampsignals is separated by a phase angle that is based on a number of aplurality of phase units included in a voltage regulator circuit; andregulate a voltage level for a power supply signal coupled to a loadcircuit by sourcing, for respective charging periods, current by eachphase unit of the plurality of phase units to the load circuit via arespective inductor of the plurality of inductors, wherein operation ofeach phase unit is locked to a respective one of the of the plurality ofreference ramp signals.
 35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein a firstreference ramp signal of the plurality of reference ramp signals and asecond reference ramp signal is separated by a phase angle based on anumber of inductors in the plurality of inductors.
 36. The apparatus ofclaim 34, wherein the voltage regulator circuit is further configured todischarge the power supply signal via the respective inductor inresponse to a determination that a particular charging period has ended.37. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein to determine a duration of aparticular charging period, the voltage regulator circuit is furtherconfigured to charge, in response to a start of the particular chargingperiod, a capacitor using a current that is based on a differencebetween a voltage level of the power supply signal and a voltage levelof a power supply signal coupled to the plurality of phase units. 38.The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the voltage regulator circuit isfurther configured to charge, after a time period has elapsed since thestart of the particular charging period, the capacitor using a secondcurrent that is based on the difference between the voltage level of thepower supply signal and the voltage level of the power supply signal anda coupling coefficient indicative of a level of inductive couplingbetween at least two inductors of the plurality of inductors.
 39. Theapparatus of claim 38, wherein the voltage regulator circuit is furtherconfigured to discharge, after a second time period has elapsed sincethe start of the particular charging period, the capacitor using a thirdcurrent that is based on a voltage level of the power supply signal anda coupling coefficient indicative of a level of inductive couplingbetween at least two inductors of the plurality of inductors.
 40. Theapparatus of claim 38, wherein the voltage regulator circuit is furtherconfigured to compare a voltage across the capacitor to a voltage levelof a particular reference ramp signal of the plurality of reference rampsignals.